Container



Jan. 13, 1953 c. M. MaocHEsNEY CONTAINER 2 SHEETS--SHEET l Filed May 24, 1945 w (lll .4

lllllllllllllllillllllllll. llllbllllllellslllllllllllllllbllnblilllhllllllIllJ, IllnhllllllllhlJhFIPl-Wldllhulhllllhullh,

Jan. 13, 1953 C, M MaoCHl-:SNEY 2,625,317

CONTAINER- Filed May 24, 1945 l 2 SHEETS- SHEET 2 @2 2 @2 M 4%/ 41g L .5

1N V EN TOR.

terconnection between the end walls.

Patented Jan. 13, 195,3

CONTAINER Chester M. MacChesney, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Acme Steel Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application May 24, 1945, Serial No. 595,541

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements. in containers of a type adapted for use in storing and shipping various powdered and granular materials and, also, to improvements in protective devices which may be used, for example, in reinforcing and protecting rolls of paper or fabric or other packages.

Many forms of containers comprising annular walls of iibreboard or the like and end walls formed largely or wholly of metal have heretofore been known but most of them have had the disadvantage that the end walls could not readily be secured in place without auxiliary fastening` means and presented corresponding dimculty when it was desired to remove the contents.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a container of the type referred to comprising means for securing the end walls in place without the use of any securing means engaging the annular or outer wall of the container. kA further object is to provide an improved container in which end walls are secured in place on an annular or outer wall by an in- Another object is to provide a container comprising means for moving the end walls into tight engagement with an annular wall by relative rotation of the end walls about the axis of the container which effects the shortening of a connecting member extending between the end walls. Still another object of the invention is to provide a y container comprising an annular wall and two end walls attached to each other by spaced connecting members or by a single connecting member of substantial width which connecting member or members are adapted to be shortened in eiective length by the twisting thereof effected by relative rotation of the end walls or parts carried thereby, whereby the end walls are drawn together and into engagement with the ends of the annular wall in which positions they are held by frictional engagement with said annular wall. Other objects relate to various features of construction and arrangement which will appear more fully hereinafter.

The nature of the ,invention will be understood from the following specification taken with the accompanying drawings in which several embodiments are illustrated. In the drawings,

Figure l shows an axial vertical section through one form of container embodying the present invention with the upper end wall elevated fromthe annular wall of the container and with this upper end wall illustrated by dotted lines in a laterally displaced position which permits the filling of the container;

moving the end wall or cover into tight engagement with the annular wall;

Fig. 3 shows a vertical axial section through a roll paper package embodying the features of the present invention, wherein the endsof the roll of paper are protected by metal plates or caps attached together by spaced wires extending through the central aperture ot the roll and capable of being twisted to move both cap members into engagement with the ends of the roll, the twisted condition of the connecting member and the position of the upper cap on the top end of the roll being illustrated by dotted lines;

Fig. 4 shows a side elevation of a modiiied form of the invention in which provision is made for discharging the contents of the container by effecting `a partial untwisting of the at metal band which serves as the connecting member through relative rotation of the two end walls, thereby bringing into registrydischarge openings which are formed in the margins of the annular wall and of the top end `wall or cover;

Fig. 5 shows a partial vertical axial section through .another form of the invention which is similar to that shown in Fig. l except that the connecting members extending from the bottom wall are attached to an auxiliary cap adapted to close an opening in the top wall 'or cover of the container;

Fig. 6 is a partial vertical axial section through a further modified form of the invention in which the end walls comprise metal rims and relatively rotatable centralmetal disks which engage other disks seated on the flanges of the rims, the metal disksvbeing connected by members adapted to be shortened by twisting;

Fig. 7 shows a vertical section through still another form of the invention in which the end walls of the container are united through the lintermediate chamber of the container by two pairs of connecting members, each pair being adapted to be twisted together by the relative rotation of auxiliary cap members to which they are attached;

Fig. 8 shows a partial vertical sectional view through another form of the invention, similar to that shown in Fig. 6, but comprising a special form of cap member which is rotatable within an opening in the end wall of the container; and Fig. 9 shows a top plan view of the construction illustrated in Fig. 8.

The form of the invention shown in Figs. l `and 2 of the drawings Icomprises an annular wall I0,

- formed preferably of relatively s-tiii breboard or Fig. 2 shows a vertical .axial section similar y to that of Fig. 1 illustrating the relative posithe connecting device extending between the th-e like, which is adapted to be engaged at its lower end by a bottom wall II and at its vupper end by a top wall I2, both of which end walls are preferably formed of metal. The bottom wall I I comprises a Vdisk IIa united along its annular outer edge with an annular ange I Ib adapted to fit within the lower end l.of the annular wall lli.

- The flange IIb is united with a radially extending end wa1ls,rconsisting of a pair of wires, thereby l partl IIc engaged by the end of the wall Ie and '5 a cylindrical flange 26b which fits within the upper edge of the annular wall 25. This flange is united with a radially extending part 26c and this part 26 is united with an outer fiange 26d whichterminates in an annular bead 26e. There Y is thus formed an annular groove which receives the upper end of the wall 25. It will be apparent that the outer wall 25 may have a square or other non-circular cross section and that the end walls may be given corresponding shapes. The disk portion 26a of the cover is provided with a centrai circular aperture 26f adapted to be closed by an overlapping circular cap or closure 21 when the member 21 is in its closed position illustrated by dotted lines. The cap or closure is provided with a central circular depressed portion 21EL adapted to t within the aperture 26f and it has, around its outer edge, an annular upwardly extending flange 21b which terminates in an annular bead 21C. Before the container shown in Fig. is filled, the cap of closure 21 normally occupies an elevated position such as that shown by full lines in Fig. 5 and it is adapted to be moved downwardly to the position shown by dotted lines through the shortening of a connecting device 28 which may 'be formed as a flat metal band, as in the form of the invention shown in Fig. 4, but is here illustrated as a pair of spaced wires 28a which have their upper ends attached to the cap or closure 21, preferably on opposite sides =of the middle point thereof, and which have their lower ends similarly attached to the bottom wall, preferably on opposite sides of its middle point. The two wires 28Si thus occupy substantially an axial position within the annular wall 25 and, upon rotation of the cap or closure 21 about the axis of the container, the two wires 23a are twisted upon each other andare thereby shortened in effective length so that the cap or closure 21 is drawn downwardly to the closed position shown by dotted lines, wherein it covers the opening 26f in the body portion of the upper end wall. By a reverse rotation of the cap or closure 21, the wires 288L may be untwisted, thereby increasing their effective length so that the cap member 21 may be moved laterally to permit the contents of the container to be removed. In this form, the twisting of the wires serves not only to move the cap or closure to its closing position but also to cause the cap to hold the top wall 26' in close engagement with the upper edge of the annular wall. Although the aperture 26f is preferably located centrally in the wall 26 and the connecting device 28 is preferably attached to the middle point of the disk 21, this form 'of the invention will operate satisfactorily if both the aperture 26f and the connecting device 28 are offset from the axis of the container.

In Fig. 6 of the drawings, there is shown still another form of the invention comprising an outer wall 30, formed preferably of fibreboard or the like and engaged at its ends by end walls whichmay be of substantially identical construction', each including a metal rim, a radial disk v and a cap member closing an aperture in the disk. The bottom wall comprises a metal rim 3l having an inwardly extending horizontal flange 3ia united withV a flange 3lb which ts within the lower end of the outer wall 3U which may be of circular or othr'cros's section. This flange 3lb is united 'with' a radially extending part 3IC, which is engaged by the lower end of the wall 30, and this part 31e. is united with an outer surrounding .flange :3|d whichts around thev v outer surface of the lower end of the wall l311,

terminating in a continuous bead 31. There is thus formed a continuous groove which is fitted by the lower end of the wall 30. The radial flange 3Ia is engaged on its outer side by the marginal portion of a disk 32 which is shaped to fit within the flange 3|b and formed preferably of fibreboard or other non-metallic material having substantial strength and resistance to bending stresses. The top wall comprises a metal rim 33 which has an inwardly extending horizontal flange 33 united with an upwardly extending flange 33b formed to iit within the upper end of the outer wall 30. The flange 33b is united with a radially extending part 33c which is engaged by the end of the wall 30 and this part 33c isunited with a continuous downwardly extending flange 33d which terminates in a continuous bead 33". There is thus formed another continuous groove whichreceives the upper end of the wall 30. The horizontal iiange 33a is engaged on its upper side by the marginal portion of a circular disk 34 formed preferably of fibreboard or other non-metallic material having substantial strength and resistance to bending stresses.

The two disks 32 and 34 are connected through the interior of the container by a connecting device adapted to be Vshortened in effective length by the relative rotation of members which close apertures formed in the disks. In this instance, this connecting device is shown as comprising a pair of normally spaced wires 35 which pass through spaced apertures in the metal cap members 36 and 31 of circular form, which seat against the outer surfaces of the disks 32 and 34, respectively. and close the circular apertures 32a and 34a formed therein, when the connecting wires 35 are twisted together. The wires may be secured to the metal cap members or they may be formed from a single wire which is looped through apertures in the cap members and which has its ends secured 'together as shown at 35a. The metal cap members have central annular offset portions 36a and 31 which fit within the apertures 32a and 348, respectively, and the member 31 is preferably provided with upwardly extending lugs 31b which may be engaged by the fingers or a wrench when effecting relative rotation of :the cap members. Having seated the two metal rims 3| and 33 on the ends of the wall 30, the relative rotation of the cap members 36 and 31 will effect the twisting together of the wires 35 so that their effective length is shortened until the disks 32 and 34 are drawn into tight engagement with the flanges 3|a and 33a of the rims and the cap members 36 and 31 are'moved into tight engagement with the disks. The apertures 32a and 34a in the disks are preferably centrally located but they may be offset from the centers, since the tightening of the connecting device is efected by the relative rotation of the cap memers.

The form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises an outer wall 40, formed preferably of flbreboard or the like and engaged at its ends by end walls 4l which may be made of metal rims and special non-metallic disksA as in the form shown in Fig. 6 but'are illustrated as comprising radial disks 4|a integrally united at their outer edges with cylindrical flanges Mb which are adapted to fit within the ends of the p annular wall 40. Eachfiange Mb is united with 7 united withanother cylindrical ange did terminating in anannular bead die. There is thus formed on each end wall4 4| an annular groove which receives one end of the wall dii, It will be apparent that the wall 50 may be circular in cross sectionV or of suitable shape and that the end walls 4I may be formed to nt over the ends of the wall 440 regardless of the shape of the latter member.

The end walls fil are provided with circular apertures Alf each engaged by a cap member 42 similar in construction to those illustrated in Fig. 6'. Each cap member is in theform of a circular disk havingan annular flange or bead 42a which ts within one of the circular openings Alf and each diskl may be provided on its outer side wtih projecting lugs 42h for engagement-by a. wrench or the like for effecting rotation of the cap members. 1 Each cap member 62 is provided with a p-air of spaced apertures 2 which are engaged by portions of a connecting member $3 which is preferably in the form of a metal wire having its ends united at 44 on the outside of one of the cap members. The wires of each pair may be twisted together by eecting relative rotation ofthe cap members 42 connected thereto,

-thus shortening the effective length of the composite connecting member and drawing the associated cap members'42 together so that the end walls 4l are thereby maintained in engagement with the annular wall 40. By using a plurality ofpairs of connecting wires located at diiierent points across the area of the container, it is possible to apply sufficient-pressure to maintain the end'walls @i inproper engagement with the wall 40 regardlessof the nature of the contents of the container. The contents may be removed in the manner heretofore described after the cap members have been loosened by untwisting the wires but, in this instance, the upper endwall is shown as being provided with al central opening 41g en gaged by the circular' depressed portion 45a of a cover plate 45 which has a iiange 45h resting on the outer surface of the end wall. Lugs 45'may be formed on the depressed portion of the cover 45 to underlie the disk portion Ma ofy the adjacent end wall to hold the cover in its closed position, itbeing understood that the cover may be snapped into or. out of that closed position` due tothe resiliency of thecoacting disk 41a.

In Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings, there is illustrated another modification of the invention according to which the annular wall, not shown, is engaged at its ends by end walls 5l, each end wall having a central aperture 5|a engaged by a cap member 52 formed of two sheetmetalportions one of which is connected with a pair of wires 53 which may be twisted togetherv for the purpose of shortening the effective length of the connecting member extending between, the two end walls thereby holding the end walls in position on the outer wall of the container. In this' casethe cap member 52 has an outer part 51S provided with two semicircular depressions 5de adapted to be engaged by a wrench or the like for effecting rotation of the cap member. The outer edges of the member 511 are bent downwardly and inwardly as shown at Sb to embrace the outer flange 55a of a complementary member 55 which has a cylindrical body portion 55h engaging the aperture 51Sa and formed integrally with the flange 55a` The body portion is tapered downwardly and inwardly at its lower end as shown at 55C and this part terminates in an outwardly and upwardly turned annular flange 55d which is slotted.on.op 75 posite sides as shown at 55el so that' the wire 53 may be passed around the groove between the flange 55d and the tapered portion 55c and then extended outwardly and downwardly through the oppositely disposed slots 55e. In this way, a rigid cap member is provided for convenient engagement by a wrench to effect the twisting of the wires 53. It will be apparent that this cap member may be employed in place of any of those reviously described.

In each form of the invention, two end walls or other parts are connected through the interior of the container by a member or members capable of being shortened through the twisting thereof brought about by relative rotation of end walls, cap members or other parts. To facilitate this shortening of the connecting member, this member should have appreciable width or its wires or other component parts should be substantially `spaced apart, since it will be apparent thatthe rapidity with which the shortening takes eiect will depend upon the width of the connecting device. When wires are used, an increased spacing ofthe wires will shorten the helix formed by each twist so that there will be a corresponding increase in the rapidity of the shortening of the connecting device as the twisting occurs. The length of the connecting member and its width may be selected to suit the purpose for which the container is to be used but, regardless of the proportions of the parts, the container embodies a novel and practical device by which the end walls may be readily' secured in fixed position with respect to the outer or annular wall and removed therefrom, without the employment of any of the usual fastening members by which end walls are normally fastened to the annular walls of containers.

Although several forms of the invention have been shown and described by way of illustration, it will be understood that it may be constructed in variousA other embodiments coming within the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

A container comprising a cylindrical wall, circular end walls adapted to seat on the ends of said cylindrical wall, and spaced wires connected to said end walls on opposite sides of the centers of said end walls and of greater normal length than said cylindrical wall, said wires when twisted together to shorten their eiiective length being arranged to hold said end walls in engagement with the ends of said cylindrical wall.

CHESTER M. MACCHESNEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 382,255 Estabrook May 1, 1888 742,558 Bache Oct 27, 1903 825,239 Ohnemus July 3, 1906 874,160 Buckborough Dec'. 17, 1907 919,607 Loughman Apr. 27, 1909 1,493,197 Hall May 6, 1924 1,534,803 Moore Apr. 2l, 1925 1,754,644 Moore Apr..15, 1930 2,321,655 Carr June l15, 1943 2,352,503 Walton June 2'?, 1944 2,368,534 Forrer Jan. 30, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 603,388 Great. Britain June. 15; 1948 

